Access to the World After Myocardial Infarction: Experiences of the Recovery Process

Abstract

Myocardial infarction (MI) is a traumatic health event and at the same time a transition of vital importance in human life. The purpose of this study was to elucidate recovery patterns after myocardial infarction with regard to the content of patients' experiences. The study used a descriptive design and a qualitative method. Interviews with 16 men and women were performed, and data were subjected to a thematic content analysis. The recovery process had a pattern of ability, restraints, and reorientation. Through self-help and help from others, the mutual sharing of burdens, and clarifying restraints to recovery, the recovery process progressed toward reorientation. New values and motivation for change, as well as a new balance within the self and relationships were found. The MI had been integrated into life and, through the recovery process, patients' attitudes were better focused, leading to an enhanced quality of life.

Six year stability of Type-D personality in a German cohort of cardiac patients

“…Recent theoretical frameworks for personality models conceptualize changes in personality traits and cross-situational variability and integrate biological factors, environment, states, and traits, thus providing an explanation for behavioral plasticity [33][34][35]. The lower reliability for the hospital inpatients and rehabilitation patients reported here can possibly be explained by the fact that most of them have recently experienced a cardiac event, which can be viewed as a critical life event requiring psychosocial adaptation [36,37].…”

The effectiveness and experience of self-management following acute coronary syndrome: A review of the literature

“…Sharing experiences with a layperson or in a peer support group has been found to be an important part of recovery (Hildingh et al, 2006). Particularly, emotional, informational and practical support from family and social networks in the recovery process was significant (Webster et al, 2003;Worrall-Carter et al, 2005).…”

“…Seven studies were conducted in Canada (Galdas et al, 2012a;Galdas et al, 2012b;Kerr and Fothergill-Bourbonnais, 2002;Sutherland and Jensen, 2000;Benson et al, 1997;Doiron-Maillet and Meagher-Stewart, 2003;Tobin, 2000), five in the UK (White et al, 2007;Hutton and Perkins, 2008;Webster et al, 2003;White et al, 2011;Gregory et al, 2006), five in Sweden (Hildingh et al, 2006;Kristofferzon et al, 2007;Alsen et al, 2008;SjÖstrÖm-Strand et al, 2011;Johansson et al, 2003), five in Australia (Everett et al, 2011;Davidson et al, 2011;Jackson et al, 2000;Worrall-Carter et al, 2005;Daly et al, 2000), each in USA (Coyle, 2009), Ireland (Condon and McCarthy, 2006) and Faroe Islands (Askham et al, 2010).…”

A qualitative study of men's experience of myocardial infarction

“…Although there has been an increase in research into men's experiences in general (e.g., Sabo & Gordon, 1995) and several recent qualitative explorations of the experience of MI and subsequent recovery (Gregory, Bostock, & Backett-Milburn, 2006;Hildingh, Fridlund, & Lidell, 2006;Paquet, Bolduc, Xhignesse, & Vanasse, 2005;Scherck, 2006), all have looked at mixed gender groups and only Gregory et al discuss gender issues.…”